GetMyUni's Verdict on NIT Silchar

Parvathy Krishnakumar

"NIT Silchar has managed to be one of the top institutes in the country for providing a strong academic curriculum and promising career prospects. However, the inconsistency in the quality of professors and infrastructure facilities may limit it from being the best."

Ranked among the top 15 NITs in the country, NIT Silchar is situated among the lush green hills of Assam. Like all its counterparts, the institute offers a unique blend of academic excellence, promising career opportunities and space for overall development. Though certain drawbacks restrict it from being among the best NITs, the institute is still better than most private universities in the country in terms of the educational values and campus experience that it has to offer. 

An exciting factor that makes the institute stand out among the other institutes is its research facilities. Students have several options and resources where they are encouraged to pursue cutting-edge research projects under the guidance of renowned professors. These facilities and resources enrich the learning experience of students and help them achieve successful prospects. 

Though it had a delayed take-off in terms of its placement records, the institute has seen commendable growth in its placement opportunities, with some disciplines, such as Computer Science and Engineering, achieving impressive placement results. Overall, NIT Silchar offers a brilliant campus experience with its academic rigour, beautiful and large campus infrastructure, excellent research and placement opportunities, and a vibrant college experience.

Table of Contents

• Variety of Traditional & Modern Courses
• Diverse & Dynamic Professors
• Extensive & Elaborate Infrastructure
• Mixed Bag of Housing Facilities
• Vibrant & Enriching Campus Experience
• Promising Placement Records
• Overall Impression of NIT Silchar

Variety of Traditional & Modern Courses

Needless to say, the academic environment at the institute is among the best in the country as the engineering programs offered are top-tier, with a well-structured curriculum and pedagogy. The institute primarily offers various undergraduate and postgraduate courses across different disciplines in the Engineering field. It is known for its emphasis on providing ample opportunities to gain theoretical knowledge and hands-on learning experience.

Some of the programs at the institute are consistently ranked among the top in the country. They provide rigorous and updated courses that cover the core areas. The programs are assured to prepare and equip students with relevant knowledge and skills to excel in their respective fields.

Graduates can pursue diverse careers with the education they obtain from the institute. The top-ranked departments at the institute that are known for their B.Tech and M.Tech programs are as follows.

• Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)
• Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering (EIE)
• Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Mechanical Engineering (ME)
• Civil Engineering (CE).

Though there are ample resources and facilities for research and development, there are no doctoral programs offered by the institute. However, students are encouraged to pursue research projects. Besides that, with the rigorous academic structure and curriculum that is regularly updated with current industry trends and relevant technologies, students can build a strong foundation for their higher studies. 

The institute is dedicated to providing quality education with a strong emphasis on rigour, research opportunities, and practical learning experiences that prepare aspiring engineers with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their professional fields. However, students are advised to be prepared for the challenges and demanding academic environment that comes with potential challenges. Ultimately, it is up to the students to utilise their time in the institute to learn and develop intellectually and academically.

Course Fee Structure

The course fee structure at the institute is comparatively lower than that of the private universities, along with special consideration for students who belong to underprivileged categories. The course fees vary depending on the program level and type and also differ for the odd and even semesters. Students who belong to SC/ST/PwD categories and families with annual income below INR 1 lakh are exempted from paying the semester tuition fee. Additionally, the tuition fees are subject to change every year.

According to the previous year's fee structure, the tuition fee is INR 20,833 for students who belong to families with annual incomes between INR 1 to 5 lakhs and INR 62,500 for those students from families with annual incomes above INR 5 lakhs. However, there are no fee exemptions for underrepresented students for postgraduate courses. The tuition fee for M.Tech programs per semester is INR 35,000.

Apart from the tuition fees, students are also required to pay additional fees for various facilities and resources, like library fees, examination fees, etc. Students are also offered scholarship programs to support them financially based on their academic performance and socioeconomic status.

Attendance Policy

As per the rules and regulations of the institute, students are mandated to maintain a minimum attendance of 75% in all the theory and practical sessions across all subjects. Suppose a student fails to maintain the minimum attendance. In that case, they will be debarred from appearing in the end-semester exam, their registration for the particular course will be cancelled, and they will be awarded a 'W' grade.

Diverse & Dynamic Professors

The institute has several veteran professors who are highly educated and well-experienced veterans in the field, as well as those who are new to the field with less experience. Many professors at the institute have extensive experience in the field, both academically and professionally, who ensure students obtain valuable information and insights into theoretical and practical applications. Such professors are dedicated to imparting the requisite knowledge and skills to succeed in their field. Yet, there are a few faculty members who are not as dedicated and are only interested in completing their curriculum and syllabus.

While there are professors who employ engaging lectures and interactive teaching styles, there are professors who are skilled in delivering effective lectures and refuse to adapt to different approaches or provide additional resources. This variation in the teaching methods results in inconsistency of learning among the students. 

In addition to that, even when the senior professors are easily approachable and open to discussion with the students, some professors are less approachable with limited working hours or are heavily involved in research projects of their own. Students face issues with such professors in terms of seeking guidance or building valuable relationships.

Moreover, students have mentioned on online forums that there are issues or communication barriers between the professors and students due to the former's strong accent or limited knowledge of the English language, which makes it difficult, especially for non-native speakers, to understand their classes. Also, students have said that there are variations in the grading system within the professors, which adds to the inconsistency. 

Overall, the institute has a mixed bag of professors with several experienced professionals and freshly graduated professors who lack experience in teaching or in the industry. Students must be prepared to navigate the varied teaching methods, potential issues regarding language barriers and inapproachability of some professors. It is advised that students connect with past and present students to learn more about the quality of professors in the specific discipline to have a better understanding of the academic scenario.

Extensive & Elaborate Infrastructure

The institute has one of the biggest infrastructure among all the NITs, surrounded by lakes, a tea garden, and ample facilities to cater to the academic and extracurricular needs of the students. Its infrastructure is a blend of traditional and modern architecture, with the older buildings undergoing renovation to include the updated facilities. The institute takes special care to include the necessary infrastructure to ensure students have a well-rounded campus experience. 

While the newer academic infrastructure includes spacious classrooms well-equipped with audio-visual aids, such as projectors, whiteboards, etc., comfortable seating arrangements and good lighting, the older buildings have outdated classrooms that may lack modern facilities. 

The institute has dedicated laboratories for each discipline with the necessary facilities and equipment for students to gain practical learning experience. Though some departments have poorly maintained laboratories, the institute is in the process of renovation and upgradation.

The central library at the institute has a vast collection of books, journals, theses, research papers and other reference materials for students from different branches. Additionally, it has an extensive digital library, which is considered to be the largest in Asia, that consists of various electronic resources and databases that can be accessed through the computer systems available within the library, as well as through the institute's official website. The central library also has sufficient seating areas for students to read and study peacefully. 

The institute has a well-maintained sports complex with facilities for different sports, such as football, cricket, badminton and basketball. The sports facilities also include a well-equipped gymnasium, which encourages students to maintain their physical health alongside their academics.

The cafeteria at the institute is a primary hangout spot for students where a variety of food and beverages are available at reasonable prices. Different types of meals that cater to diverse dietary needs among the students are available at the food stalls and cafeteria. There are enough seating areas that are aesthetically pleasing as well. 

Some of the exciting and enticing features of the institute's infrastructure also include the supercomputing centre that offers WiFi facilities in the academic buildings, guest house, administrative building, lecture hall complex and other facilities within the campus. The computing facility at the institute is maintained by the Central Computer Center, which includes high-end servers and personal computers with modern technology. CCC has three computer labs within the campus, with over 400 computers each.

Spread over a vast area of more than 600 acres of land, the institute has a picturesque campus with a mix of natural beauty and modern facilities. However, students have reported that the older buildings require improvement and maintenance to match the ever-changing requirements of the industry. Furthermore, the institute being located on the outskirts of the city makes it difficult for the students to access the modern, urban facilities. 

Mixed Bag of Housing Facilities

The institute offers housing facilities for both boys and girls in different hostel blocks located within the campus. According to students' reviews on online platforms, the quality of hostels is uneven across different blocks, with the newer buildings having more modern facilities and amenities than the older ones. However, the institute's recent renovation efforts have significantly improved the living conditions at several hostels, which has resulted in cleaner bathrooms, better water supply, and more comfortable living. 

There are 10 hostels for boys and 3 for girls, with separate hostels for married students pursuing postgraduate studies and foreign students. 

The older buildings are said to show signs of time, with cracked walls, leaky roofs and limited amenities while the newer blocks boast of modern amenities and spacious rooms. There has been a significant maintenance gap in older blocks with malfunctioning lights, poor drainage systems and hygiene concerts. Additionally, the older structures have smaller rooms, shared bathrooms and common areas, which may be an issue for some students. 

Nevertheless, the hostels are conveniently located in close proximity to the academic infrastructure, which makes it easy for the students to access the classrooms, library, etc. Though a few hostels are located a bit farther away from the academic buildings, the institute provides bus facilities to make it easy for students to reach their classes on time.

The hostels have common rooms and sports and recreational facilities available within the buildings for students to spend their leisure time effectively. All rooms are well-furnished with beds, tables and chairs for each student. They are also allowed to add personal elements to customise the rooms. Additionally, living in the hostels creates a sense of community and belonging among students, which provides them opportunities to interact with different personalities and build long-lasting relationships.

Each hostel has separate mess facilities through which timely meals are served thrice a day. Though the mess facilities maintain general cleanliness and hygiene, the quality of food served might be compromised. Additionally, the mess may not cater to diverse dietary needs, especially for vegetarians, so students must be ready to adjust or supplement their meals accordingly.

The safety and security of the students are assured by 24/7 security guards placed at all gates of the campus and wardens within the hostel buildings. Subsequently, the institute is under CCTV surveillance around the clock. These hostels also have strict rules and regulations regarding curfew timings, guest visiting, and various other factors, which limit the chances of any discrepancies or immoral activities taking place.

An attractive part of living in the hostels within the institute's campus is its affordability. The hostel rents typically range between INR 1000 and INR 1500 per semester, depending on the semester, room type and hostel block. However, additional charges are yielded for accessing certain facilities, such as light and water, cable TV, and mess establishment. Overall, students will be required to pay a sum of INR 2630 for odd semesters and INR 2130 for odd semesters. 

In addition to the on-campus housing facilities, there are numerous PGs and private hostels available within the premises of the institute, which provide various facilities and amenities based on the budget and requirements of students. The PG rents vary depending on the availability of facilities and luxuries. 

Vibrant & Enriching Campus Experience

Though it might be difficult for students to adjust to rural life, especially for those who hail from metropolitan cities, the campus life at the institute is memorable and enriching, with diverse opportunities for extracurricular and recreational activities. The institute consists of numerous clubs and societies that help in providing a holistic learning environment with spaces for students to learn and grow, both academically and socially. 

Apart from departmental societies, like Electronics and Communication, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, etc., the institute has multiple clubs for students who are interested in music, drama, dance, arts, photography, etc. It also has many tech-related clubs for robotics, programming, gaming, etc. These clubs and societies are always involved in conducting different competitions and events, making the campus active throughout the year.

Most of these fests and events are organised by students, which helps them inculcate and polish organisational, interpersonal and managerial skills, which are beneficial in the long run. 

As most of the activities on campus are student-led, students also have access to modern-day programs and cultural activities. These competitions and fests also provide students with platforms to showcase their talents and skills. 

Apart from the events conducted by the societies and clubs, the institute also organises annual technical and cultural festivals, which are famous for their student participation and competitions. These festivals are conducted for three or more days, which makes the campus vibrant, with various activities conducted simultaneously. Students look forward to these annual events, where they can interact with students from different disciplines and connect with like-minded individuals.

The institute also conducts annual sports tournaments and competitions between different departments, which instils a sense of competitive spirit among the students. These sports competitions also encourage students to pursue their sports and maintain physical fitness. 

As the institute is situated within a natural setting, the beautiful and calming environment also offers students an inviting escape from the chaotic and demanding academic life to relax and rejuvenate peacefully. Though there are limited urban facilities, students can explore nature and enjoy the beauty of the varying climatic conditions.

Diversity on Campus

As per the students' reviews on online forums, the institute had an alarming difference in the gender ratio, with male students dominating most of the student body. However, there has been a steady increase in the female population through the years. According to the recent year's statistics, the gender ratio is around 15% female students to 85% male students. The institute is taking initiatives to increase the number of female students by offering special scholarships and mentoring programs.

As for the regional diversity, the institute is mostly consisting of students from the Northeastern part of the country, from states like Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, etc. Though there is no significant presence, the institute has a small number of international students, particularly from countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. However, as the dominant language used on campus is Assamese, students from other regions may face difficulties communicating with each other.

Additionally, the nominal tuition fees and other expenses at the institute make it easy for students from underrepresented socioeconomic backgrounds to access quality education. The availability of numerous scholarships and government grants also helps in the representation of students from all walks of life. 

Dress Code

As in all its counterparts, NIT Silchar also does not have a defined uniform or impose a strict dress code on students. They are allowed to wear respectful, appropriate and comfortable clothing. Nonetheless, students are expected to maintain a neat and decent appearance by avoiding revealing, offensive or inappropriate clothes. Students are generally discouraged from wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts for classrooms and follow the safety regulations for labs by wearing closed-toed shoes and lab coats.

Promising Placement Records

The institute has witnessed substantial growth in its placement rates over the years, with a long-standing record of promising placement opportunities from prestigious companies across the globe. Obviously, the NIT tag has added to this success rate. The institute's active collaboration with leading companies to organise various academic activities, such as guest lectures, workshops and internship programs, has enhanced the industry exposure and employability skills of the students. Though there are fluctuations in the placement opportunities available across branches, the institute works towards resolving these challenges. 

The institute is dedicated to offering students additional certifications and programs to help them develop and polish their skills, making it easier for them to excel in the real world. Its Training and Placement Cell is actively involved in providing students with career guidance and preparations for placement interviews. They also make special efforts to invite a maximum number of reputed companies to participate in the placement drives held annually at the institute. 

Nonetheless, the highest placement records are held by the top-ranked branches, namely Computer Science and Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. These branches have had strong placement records from students getting job opportunities across diverse sectors, such as Software Development, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Telecommunications, Embedded Systems, Construction, Automobile Manufacturing, etc. 

According to the past year's trends, the institute has consistently achieved a placement rate of more than 95%. Based on the placement records, the highest salary package was offered to Computer Science and Engineering students, which was INR 44 LPA, with the average salary package at INR 14.90 LPA.

Next in line in terms of the average salary package being INR 12.27, LPA was the Electronics and Communication Engineering branch. Due to its impressive brand value and academic excellence, several companies visit the institute frequently to offer successful job opportunities. S

Overall Impression of NIT Silchar

Though it has its drawbacks in some aspects, NIT Silchar is definitely dedicated to providing an assuring academic environment where students can evolve and gain maximum knowledge in their desired field. Students are offered promising career opportunities and placement prospects along with a fulfilling and enriching campus life. Though the quality of professors is inconsistent, students can always rely on the academic curriculum and the extensive resources available at the central library to learn and grow academically and professionally. 

As it is a competitive space, students must be prepared to dedicate themselves to the course duration to utilise the facilities and resources available for their own growth and development. They must learn to delegate their time efficiently for academic and extracurricular activities.

As mentioned earlier, students are advised to connect with industry experts and past students to learn more about the nature of academics and career prospects offered by the institute in their chosen field before they confirm admission. 

Some of the pros and cons of NIT Silchar, as reported by the students, are listed below.

*Source: nit.silchar Instagram, National Institute of Technology Silchar Facebook, & nits.ac.in